Electric switch mechanism



ASLS

VV. LNDSY ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHA NISM 2 Shees-Sheet l Filed Jam. 3 1922 pr 22 1924. IASLE W. LINDSAY ELECTRIC SWITCH MEGHANISM Filed Jan. 13, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 22, i9.,

S T A T E S 'WILLIAM LINDSAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB '.lO HENRY HYHAN CO., INC.,

F NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH MEGHANISH.

Application Med January 3, 1922. Serial No. 586,751.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM Lumen, a citizen of the United States, residin in Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Electric Switch Mechanisms, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to that class of electric switch mechanisms in which a mov-l able contact member is operated by actuat- -ing means comprising a rotative actuatingmember in movable relation to and adap to operatively engage the movable Contact member or contact bar to open and close an electric circuit.

The principal object of the invention is to prov1de a simple, economical and efficient electric switch mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an eiicient electric switch mechanism or pull switch comprising a movable contact member, and havinga rotative reciprocating actuating means 1n movable relation to and adapted to operatively engage and press the movable contact member or contact bar into and out of circuit-making and circuit-breaking position lso as to open and close the circuit with certainty and with a snap, and minimize the formation of an arc.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric switch mechanism havino' a sellubricating Contact bar or movable contact member, andinsulating means adapted to enable insulation of the ratchet from its support to be dispensed with.

Other and further objects o the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, which are made a art hereof..

The invention consists in the features, combinations, details of construction, and arrangement ot parts herein described and claimed. i

in the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an improved electric switch mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, and showing the same adapted for use with an electric lamp to be mounted4 in upright position on a suitable support or fixture, such, :tor instance, as a Candelabra; Fig.

2 is a view in side elevation of the switch mechanism shown in F ig. 1,.as'the same would a pear when viewed from the right of said igurel 1; Fig. 3 is a view in central vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l, lookin 1n the direction indicated by the arrows; ig. 4; is a detail view in side elevation 4of the switch mechanism shown in Fig. 2, as the same would appear viewed from the right of said Fig. 2, and shows the stationary contacts, and the oscillating contact ybar in engagement with said contacts, or in circuit-c osing position; Fig. '5 1s a view in side elevation of my improved switch' mechanism, showing the same in connection with an electric lamp socket, which is shown partly in central vertical section,

with the pull chain extending through a4 side opening in the shell of the lamp socket; said socket being .adapted to be used on an ordinaryI fixture, with the lamp in horizontal position, or on any desiredsuitable support;

Fig. 6 is a View in transverse section taken approximately on line 6-6 of Fig. 1, looking downward, as indicated by the arrows, but showing the plunger actuating ratchet in section;

Fig. 7 is a view in transverse section, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. l looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing the stationary contacts, and the movab e contact barl in circuit-breaking position;

Fig. 8 is a ,view in transverse section takenon line 8-8 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a view 1nv central vertical section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 3, looking in vplunger for actuating the movable or oscilating contact bar; l Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view iu perspective of the oscillating ratchet, for operating the actuating plunger;

Fig. is an enlarged detail lview in perspective, of the movable or oscillating centrally pvioted contact bar, showlng the upper and lower metalllc members thereof insulated from each other, and showlng the space for containing lubricating material;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail view. of the upper metallic member 0f the oscillatlng contact bar shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the insulatin member or central fibrous body portion o the contact bar shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the bottom metallic member 0f said contact bar.

In constructing an Vimproved electric switch mechanism in accordance with my invention, I provide a frame comprising a base 1 andan opposed or u per frame member 2 both formed of har rubber, fiber or other suitable insulating material, and connected in rigid relation with a suitable space therebetween, by means of suitable connecting members 3 and 4 which are, by preference, formed of metal so as to form electric conductors which are connected with the stationary contacts and embraced within the electric circuit to be opened and closed by my improved switch mechanism, as hereinaftermore particularly described.

In the form of the device shown in the drawings the stationary contactv member or pin 5 is mounted in the frame member 2 of insulating material. This metallic contact member or pin 5 is connected with the central or positive spring contact 6 which is in position to engage the central Contact 7. The contact 7 in this instance is one of the terminals of the carbon filament of an ordinary incandescent lam 8, and the contact 7 is surrounded by insuiating material 9 in the usual manner. The contact .members 5 and 6 being mounted in insulating material forming the part 2 and in the transverse projecting rib 10, are thus normally out of contact with all other electrically conductive parts except the contact 7 or a corresponding contact of any suitable type to be connected with the art 6 or contact 5 to form an electric circuit for lighting or for any desired purpose. The metallic outer shell 11 of the threaded neck of the incandescent lamp bulb 8 is connected with and forms the opposite terminal of the filament of the lamp, or of the conductor with which the contact 7 is connected; Vand the outer inetallic member 12, which in this instance is the threaded metallic shell of an ordinary incandescent lamp socket, is in contact with the conductor or outer shell 11,-which in this instance is the outer shell ofan incandescent lamp neckand electrically connected with the metallic standard or ne ative binding member or binding post 4 y means of a metallic screw 13. The screw 13 extends through the flan e 14 of the metallic member 12 or socket an through the insulation 2, and through and in threaded engagement with the an ular end flan e 15 of said metallic standar or negative inding post 4. A metallic binding screw 16 in threaded engagement with the binding post 4 serves to bind an electric Wire 17- in contact with the post or standard 4. The wire 17 is, of course, connected in any desired ordinary or suitable manner with one of the poles-for instance, the negative pole-of a dynamo or source of electric supply. The post 4 with its binding screw 16 thus serves as a negative terminal and binding post, and also serves as a connecting means for holding the insulation 2 and base 1 of insulating material in rigid relation and properly spaced a art. i

A stationary contact 18, in the insulation 2 and transverse projecting rib 10 of insulating material,-in which the Contact 5 and its spring contact 6 are mounted and normally insulated from all other electrically conductive parts except the contact 7 or lamp filament terminal-is connected at its upper end with the upper angular end or flange portion 19 of the metallic binding ost or standard 3. And a binding screw 20 in threaded engagement with the positive binding post 3 serves to bind an electrically conductive insulated wire 21 with said positive binding post 3. The bottom extremity of the contact 18 thus extends through the insulating rib 10 and is in the same plane with the corresponding exposed end of the contact 5. The contacts 5 and 18 are thus, of course, normally insulated from each other, and are strong and rigid. The electric wire 21, leadin from the positive binding post 3 and bin ing screw 20, is adapted to be electrically connected with a corresponding pole of a dynamo or source of electric supp for lighting or other purposes as desired.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that in order to form a closed electric circuit it is only necessary to electrically connect the contacts 5 and 18 in a suitable manner, and that by disconnecting said contacts the circuit will be broken.

In order to enable this and other desirable purposes to be accomplished in an eicient manner in accordance with my invention a supporting bracket or frame 22 is mounted between the base 1 and the insulation 2. Thisv frame comprises an upper or angular supporting arm or head 23 secured to the insulating member 2 by means of screws or other ordinary suitable securing means, and a depending or upright plate 24, which is located centrally between the base 1 and insulation 2 and at right angles to the parallel opposed faces of said base and plate-supporting insulating member 2. (See Figs. 2, 3, and 10.)

The Piate 24 mayl be formed in one integral piece or fixed to and su ported by the part 23 or by other suita le means. Mounted on this supporting plate 24 or other suitable su porting means which may be of any desire or suitable form, is a fixed hollow sleevel or tube 25. This tube or sleeve projects from one side of the plate 24, and has its longitudinal axis and its cylindrical walls in perpendicular relation to the side. face of the plate 24 and in parallel relation to the opposed walls or :faces of the base 1 and opposed insulatin plate-su portingmember 2 already descri d. On t e o posite side of Athe plate 24 from the stub s aft or tube 25 is mounted a movable contact memberor bar 26 which comprises in its construction a main u per hollow metallic main outer body mem er 27 which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, as shown in Figs. 13, 14, 2 and 3, an opposite p metallic Contact bar member or supporting section 28, which is also U-Shaped in cross section, and an inner insulating connecting member or core 29, formed of hard rubber or fibrous insulating material and adapted to fit tightly within the-hollow portions of both ot said opposite metallic U-shaped members 27 and 28, and support both of said metallic members in insulated spaced apart relation to each. other, thus forming a rigid contact bar comprising opposed metallic members insulated from each other but rigidly connected with the intermediate insulating member or core.

space 30l is provided between the insulating core 29 and the il-shaped metallic contact bar member 27 which 1s adapted to contain ysuitable lubricating material, for lubricatingI the'contact bar.

The contact bar thus formed is provided with opposite trunnions 30, 31. The trunnion 30 which is fixed to the part 28 is pivotally mounted in a suitable bearing recess in an arm 32 which projects from a. marginal portion ot the plate 24 and may be formed in one integral piece with said arm. Thetrunnion 31 is pivotally mounted in a suitable bearing 33 in the depending rib 10 of the insulation member 2 already described. The trunnions thus form an axis about which the contact bar 26 is adapted to oscillate, the axial center being by preference, at the longitudinal center ofk the contact bar and in perpendicular relation to the plane in which the contacts 5 'and 18 are located, and midway between said stationary contacts 5 and i8. lt follows that said axis is parallel to the side faces of theplate 2i and perpendicular to the opposed inner faces of the base 1 and the insulation member 2 above described. rlhe outer or convex face of, the main or upper metallic plate or movable contact member proper 27, which formsthe main metallic portion of v the contact bar 26, is perpendicular to the U-shaped.

axis of oscillation of said contact bar, and therefore, adapted to be swung into and out of contact with the fixed contacts 5 and 18.

The contact bar 26 is yieldingly supported in such a manner as to yieldingl engage the contacts 5 and 18 when the ar is 1n circuit closing position, by means of a compressible spring 34 which encircles the trunnion 30, and is interposed between the barsupporting foot or arm 32 and the lower metallic member 28 in which the trunnion 30 is anchored. The plate 28 has an elongated recess 35 in the face which is toward the plate 24; and the linsulating material adjacent to the plate 28 is recessed suiliciently so that the plate affords a bearing face 36 which is adapted to engage the oblique foot of the rotative reciprocating actuating 'plunger hereinafter described, and permit the plunger to rotate a half of a revolution while in detached relation to the contact bar each time the contact bar is to be actuated by the plunger and without moving or oscil' lating the contact member until the plunger is moved longitudinally while Vin operative engagementv with the contact bar, and more specifically, -in contact with the surface 36 of the plate 28 which forms one of the outer metallic insulated membersl of the contact bar.

Rotatively mounted in and movable longitudinally on the inside of the fixed hollow stub shaft or plunger-and-ratchet-supporting tube 25, is an actuating plunger 37, one extremity ofwhich extends through the plate 24 and is provided with an oblique angular foot 38, the longest arm or toe 39 of which extends outward laterally and endwise beyond the end of the central stem portion of the plunger, and endwise beyond the outer extremity of the opposite relativelyshort arm or heel 40 of the foot or shoe 38. The end face or margin 41 of the oblique foot 38 is, by preference, slightly concave. The foot 38, and particularly the end marginal face 41 thereof is thus in oblique relation to the longitudinal center and axis of the rotative reciprocating contact-bar-actuating plungert37, and said foot 38 and oblique margin or face 41 are adapt ed to engage the side of the contact bar 26 and cause said contact bar to be moved into circuit closing or circuit breaking position in oblique relation to the longitudinal axial center vof the plunger, the oblique position of the contact bar corresponding in each instance with the position and oblique relation. of the shoe 38 with respect tothe axis or longitudinal center of the lunger.

The actuating plunger 37 is reciprocated or moved longitudinally in one direction and toward and into contact and operative engagement with the contact bar 26 by mleans of a plunger-actuating spring 42 which is, b preference, in the form of a steel wire fblded upon itself and formin a central loop 43 which encircles the nac 44 of the plun er 37 just back of the shoulder 451 forme by the foot 38. T'he opposite extremities of the sprin 42 are each formed into a loop 45 each o which encircles a finger or spring-supporting rojection 46 on the plate 24k already descri d. The end portion of each loop 45 extends between the body of the spring and said plate 24 and fao forms a support or fulcrum over which the spring is bent. The spring isthus held in operative position in an efficient manner, and is readily mounted in place or removed.

VThe spring 42 thus acts as a suitable resilas well as to close it.. But the plun er is.

rotated one half of a complete revolution or 1800 from its circuit-closing position, in order to reach its circuit-breaking position. And at the end of its movement to circuitclosing position, as well as at the end of its circuit breaking position, theoblique face or edge of the plunger or plunger foot 38 is in enga ement with the side face of the plate 28 o the contact bar 26. The contact bar 26, in each instance, occupiesa position oblique to the lon itudinal center of the actuatingplunger. nd the obli ue angle of the foot 38 which is inverte with each operation of the lunger, or, in other words, with each hal? of arevolution of the plun er, determines the angular position of te oscillating contact bar 26 with `respect to the axis or longitudinal center yto of the plunger. w.It follows, as a matterpof course, that when the plunger is in the position shown in Fig. 6, and the oscillating or dpivoted contact bar 26 is in the correspon ing position or at the corresponding angle in which it is shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the circuit will be broken, as the contact bar 26, when in the position shown in said figures, is out of contact with the contacts 5 and 18. And it is plain that by inverting the plunger 37 or turning it one half of a complete revolution from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, the contact bar 26 will be turned to a correspondingly different angular osition or to circuit-closing position and 1n contact with the contacts 5 and 18, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 7. The plunger 37 and contact bar 26 areralso shown in circuit-closing position in Fig. 8, the actuating plunger 37 in Fig. 8 being in the circuit-closing position which it would reach upon being inverted or turned one half of a revolution from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6.

It should be noted that the rotative reciprocating actuating plunger 37 is detached from and freely movable with respect to the oscillating or movable Contact bar 26 which it actuates, and that it is adapted to move longitudinally in one direction in response to the action of the spring 42, and in an opposite direction avainst the tension of said spring. And with each longitudinal movement of the actuating plunger 37 in a direction against the tension of the actuating spring 42, or, in other words, in a direction away from the oscillating contact bar 26 to Ibe actuated by the spring-pressed actuating plunger, the said4 plunger 37 makes one-half of a complete revolution; but it does not revolve during its movement in the direction in which it is pressed longitudinally by the spring 42. The actual rotation of the actuating plunger during each of its longitudinal movements against the tension of the spring and away from the contact bar 26 is therefore accomplished uniformlyy and with accuracy 'and certainty Without disturbing or changing the position of the contact bar 26 during the rotative movements of the plunger, which, in fact,

may be entirely out of contact with the contact bar 26 during a part of the rotative movement or movements of the plunger, as such movements occur intermittently between the non-rotating longitudinal movements which are produced by the action of the plunger-actuating spring 42. And the spring actuates the plunger and the contact bar with a sudden quick movement and with a snap, both in opening and in closing the circuit.

It is desirable to provide simple and eicient means for rotating the actuating plunger 37 during each longitudinal movement of the plunger against the tension of its actuating spring 42, or away from the oscillating contact bar 26. andv l means for positively operatingr said plunger longitudinally against the tension of said spring simultaneously with or during each intermittent partial lor half revolution of y the plun r. v

In or er to accomplish these and other desirable objects of my invention in a simplo and eicient manner, I provide a pair of laterally projecting arms 47, 47 upon the outer end of and,'by preference, formed in one integral piece with the body of the plunger 37. The hollow cylindrical stub shaft or tube 25 is provided with. a serrated plate having ratchet teeth end surface or annular edge at its outer end. These serrations or endwise-projecting teeth 49, of which there are two, each extending part Way around the annular end of the tube, each form a curved inclined cam or cam face 48 which faces endwise or outward in position to engage the lateral arms 47 on the plunger. These end cams or cam surfaces are in inclined yoblique relation to the plane in which the arms 47 are located, and said arms are in a plane which is perpendicular to the .longitudinal center and axis ofthe rotative reciprocating plunger 37. And said end cams or cam surfaces 48 are helical. But they each extend only half way or substantially half way around the annular end margin oredge ofV the tube and outward at an incline or oblique angle to the longitudinal center or axis of the tube and in the direction of rotation of the plunger 37, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 10. These oblique or helical cams or cam surfaces each terminate aty the outer endwise extremity of each cam, serration or tooth 49, respectively. And thepoints ofk `tihe teeth or serrations are located on diametric'ally opposite sides of the axis and longitudinal center of the tube 25 and of the rotative reciprocating plunger 37. The outermost endwise pointed extremity of each cam or serration 49 projects outward endwise of the tube beyond and in oset relation to the adjacent inner extremity of thenext adjacent cam or serration, and forms 4a shoulder 50 which convergesat its base with the base `or inner extremity of such adjacent cam, so as to provide notches 51 of sufficient depth longitudinally of the tube to receive and permit the movement of the lateral arms 47 of the plunger37 from the outermost pointed extremities of the teeth 49 to the bottoms of the triangular notches thus provided betweenr the serrations, teeth or cams V49.

An oscillating toothed may be in the form of ratchet 52, which a circular disk or 53, 53, on the outer side of the plate and encircling the inner lmargin or perimeter 54 of the same,

isi mounted upon and in position to encircle the tube 25,V and to oscillate or turn halfway around the tube, first in one direction and then in the oppositedirection alternately, to rotate the plunger or in ak step by step manner, half a revolution at each step. The ratchetteeth 53 o n the ratchet member 52 are of substantially the same shape and dimensions as thecams or serrations 49 on the end of the tube 25, as already described; but the ratchet teeth 53 encircle the axial opening 55 in the center of the ratchet 52, `and extend around the outside of and in sliding freely oscillating engagement with the outer'peripheries of the cam teeth or serrations 49 on the tube,

37 intermittently and form shoulders 56 the end margins of which are undercut, as shown in Fig. 12, and adapted to engage the adjacent protruding edges 57 of the lateral arms 47 on the rotative reciprocating plunger 37, and rotate the said plunger intermittently, or in a step b step manner, one-half of a revolution at eac ste A flexible element, whichmay be in the form of a cord or chain 58, adapted to pass through an opening 591, or 601, as the case may be, (see Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8) is connected at one end with the ratchet 52 which is provided with a bayonet notch 59 for.

receivin and detacha ly connecting the chain with the ratchet. nd a' stop 60, on the margin of the plate 24 is mounted in position to stop or limit and-determine the extent of the partial rotation of the disk or ratchet 52, which is' provided with a detent or finger 61 on the margin of the ratchet and in position to en age and be stopped by the stop 60, when t e ratchet is returned to its initial position by the spring 62. The spring is provided for the purose of returning the ratchet to place after it is oscillated or moved part of a revolution each time the plun r 37 is to be rotated half a revolution y means' of the pull chain 58. See Fig. 7, also Figs. 6 and 8.) One end of t e coiled helical spring 62 is connected with the frame 24, said connected end being shown in Fig. 7.; and the other end of the spring is connected with the ratchet 52, as shown in Fig. 6. The ring 62 encircles the tube 25 and forms a exible tubeencircling member or sleeve on which the chain 58 rests and is ada ted to move as the chain is wound partial y around, or unwound in operating the ratchet and thereby the plunger 37 in one direction, and releas ing the plunger, and permitting the return of the ratchet in the opposite direction by the action o the spring 62, and the longitudinal movement of the plunger 37 by the action of the spring 42. The numeral 63 indicates the end of the spring 62 which is fastened to the late 24 as shown in Fig. 7 and the numerall) 64 indicates the other end ofthe spring which is fastened to the ratchet. The spring 62 tends to lightlyy press the ratchet outward longitudinally of the tube 25 againstthe arms 47, 47 on the plunger` so as to permit the ratchet to move outward longitudinally of the tube 25 with the plunger 37 during such outward longitudinal movement of the plun er. But the pressure of the spring 62 1s so light as to be l readily overcome by the action of the spring 42.' And the action of the spring 42 in movin the plun er longitudinally against the, re ativel ligiit spring 62 is hot detrimentally a ected by the action of the spring 62.y

From the foregoing, it will be readily untion of the oscillating contact bar 26, to be actuated thereby. And the spring 62 acts to return the oscillating ratchet 52 to initial operative position, with the ratchet teeth 53 in operative engagement with the radial arms 47 of the rotative reciprocating plunger 37, and in position to cause the arms 47, and thereby the plunger 37 to be rotated half of a com lete revolution and therli inverted, eac time the ratchet is opera I claim:

l. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a movable contact member adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said first-mentioned contact, anV

actuatin member adapted to operatively enage an actuate said movable contact meinr, resilient means for actuating said actuating member in'one direction of its movement, cam mechanism in engagement with said actuating member, and actuating means encircling and in enga ement with a pro- ]'ting portion of sai actuating member and ada ted to intermittently rotate the same wit respect to the engaged cam mechanism.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a movable contact member adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with said first-mentioned contact, an actuating member adapted to operatively engage said movable contact member, means or actuatin said actuating member in one direction o its movement, and cam and l ratchet mechanism encircling in operative engagement with said lactuating member, an

acting to intermittently rotate and actuate the same in an opposite direction of its movement. c

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a movable contact member'. adapted to be'moved into and out of o rative engagement with said first-mentioned contact, an actuating member adapted to operatively engage said movable contact member, resilient means for actuating said actuating member in one direction of its movement, stationary cam mechanism in operative engagement with said actuating member, and ratchet mechanism movable independently longitudinally of the axis of said rotative actuating member and adapted to intermittently rotate the same with respect tothe'engaged cam mechanism.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact member, a movable contact lnember adapted to be moved into and out of operative engagement with said first mentioned contact, an actuating plunger adapted to'operatively engage said movable contact member, resilient means for actuating said plunger in one direction of its move-- ment, a stationary cam member in engagement wit-h said plunger, plunger-actuating means encircling-said cam and in operative enga ement with said actuating plunger, for rotating the same with respect to the engaged cam mechanism, and means for o perating said plunger-actuating means.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of a stationary contact member, a movable contact member adapted to bevmoved into and out of operative engagement with said stationary contact, an actuating plun er adapted to o eratively engage said Inova le contact mem r, resilient means for actuating said plunger in one direction of its movement, a tubular member through which said plunger extends, said tubular member having cam faces at one extremity thereof adapted to operatively engage the plunger, a ratchet mounted on and encircling said tubular member and in operative engagement with said plunger, means for operating said ratchet in one direction, to cause the plunger to move in a corresponding direction in opposition to the action of the plunger-actuating resilient means, and

means for operating the ratchet in an opposite direction to initial position.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact member, a movable contact member adapted to be moved into and out of operative engagement with said first-mentioned contact, an actuating plunger adapted to operatively en ge and actuate said movable contact mem er, resilient means for actuating said plunger in one direction of its movement, a stationary cam encircling said plunger, an arm on said plunger and in engagement ywith saidcam, a reciprocating ratchet in operative engagement with said plunger arm, for rotating the lunger with res ect to the cam, and means or operating sai ratchet. f

7. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact member, a reciprocatory contact member movable into and out of operative engagement with said first-mentioned contact, a plunger having'an angular marginal end portion in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis of said plunger and in detached relation to and adapted to actuate and positively stop'said reciprocatory contact member with respect to the axis of said plunger and the first-mentioned contact member, means for actuating said plunger in one direction of its movement, to operate said reciprocatory contact member, and means for lll lil

tently its construction a intermittently rotating and actuating said plunger in an opposite direction with respect to said reciprocatory contact member.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact member, an oscillatory contact bar movable into and out of operative engagement with said first mentioned contact,

a plunger having an angular marginal endv portion in oblique relation to the longitudinal axis of said plunger and in detached relation to and orming a movable stop for positively stopping said oscillatory contact member with respect to the first-mentioned contact, means for actuating said lunger in one direction of its movement, an means for rotating said plunger and actuating the same in an opposite direction with respect to said oscillatory contact member.

9. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a reciprocatory contact bar movable into and out of engagement with said first-mentioned contact, an actuating lu-nger having an angular marginal en oot rovided with an end surface 1n oblique relation to the longitudinal axis of said plunger and in detached relation to and adapted to operatively engage said reciprocatory contact bar, radial arms on the opposite extremity of said plunger from said angular foot, a cam having a cam surface in engagement with said radial arms and acting to move said plunger in a direction away from said reciprocatory contact bar when the plunger is intermitrotated, means for intermittently roand means for actuating ldirection of and in operwith the reciprocatory tating the plunger, the plunger in the ative engagement contact bar.

10. In an electric switch, the combination of a' pair of vstationary contacts, a pivoted contact bar having separate trunnions form ing an axis which is disposed at an angle to the plane in which said stationary contacts are located, insulating means on said bar and adapted to hold said trunnions in operative position with respect to each other and in insulated relation, and means for moving said insulated pivoted contact bar into and out of position to form an electrical connection between said'stationary contacts.

11. In an. electrical switch, the combination of a pair of stationary contacts rigidly4 supported and normally insulated from eac other, a pivoted contact bar comprisin in air of metallic mem ers each provided wit a trunnion, saidtrun-l nions forming an axis which is disposed at an angle to the plane in which said fixed contacts areA located, an insulating body forming part of said bar and forming a rigid connection between and acting to hold said metallic bar members in rigid spaced-apart insulated relation to each other and in position to enable one of said insulated metallic -vided with a trunnion, said trunnions forming an axis in perpendicular relation to the plane in ,which said fixed contacts are located, an insulating body forming part of said bar and forming a rigid connection between and acting to hold said separate metallic bar members in rigid insulated relation to eachy other and in position'to enable one of said metallic members of said contact bar to be moved into and out 'of position to form an electrical connection between the fixed contacts, and means for moving said pivoted vcontact bar into and out of position to electrically connect said iixed contacts.

13. In an electrical switch, the combination of a pair of fixed contacts normally insulated from each other, a pivoted contact bar comprising in its construction a pair of separate `metallic members each provided with a trunnion, said trunnions' forming an axis which is dis sed at an angle to the plane in which t e fixed contacts are located, a core of insulating material forming part of said bar and forming a rigid connecs tion between and acting to hold said separate metallic bar members in rigid insulated relation to each other and in position to enable said bar to be moved into and out of circuit-closing position with respect to said fixed contacts, means for moving said insulated electrically conductive contact bar loo into and out of position to connect said fixed contacts, and resilient means in engagement with and adapted to yieldingly hold said contact bar in circuit-closin position.

14. In an electricalswitc the combination lof a pairof fixed contacts normally insulated from each other, a pivoted contact bar comprising a pair of separate metallic members each rovided with a trunnion, said trunnions orming an axis adapted to permit the pivotal movement of the bar into and out of lposition to form an electric connection between said fixed contacts, a core of insulatin material forming a part of said bar, an forming a rigid connection between and acting to hold said separate metallic bar members in rigid insulating relation and in position to, enable one cf said metallic bar members to form an'electrical connection between said fixed contacts when said bar is in circuit-closing position, and actuating means adapted to engage the other one of said metallic bar members only,

lib

to move said bar into and out of position to connect said contacts- 15. In an electric switch, the vcombination of a contact, a movable contact member comprising in its construction an insulating body, and a metallic part iixed to said insulating body and adapted-to be moved into and out of contact with said first-mentioned contact and embraced within the same electric circuit with the same, said movable contact member having arecess therein for containin a lubricant for lubricating said metallic part of said contact member, andl means for operating the movable contact member,

16. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a pivoted contact bar having trunnions forming a support therefor, said contact bar comprising n its construction an insulating body, and a metallic part fixed to said insulating body and adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said first-mentioned contact, a second metallic part fixed to said insulating body and forming a support for the same, and actuating means adapted to engage said last-mentioned metallic part, for movin said pivoted con-` tact bar irfo and out of e ectrical connection with the first-mentioned contact, to open and close the electric circuit.

17. In an electric switch, the combination of a contact, a movable contact member, and actuating means in operative engagement with said movable contact member, for moving the same into and out of circuit-closing position with respect to the first-mentioned contact, said actuating means comprising a ratchet, an axle on which said ratchet is mounted, means for operatively connecting said ratchet with said movable Contact member, a helical spring encircling said axle and having one end connected With said ratchet, the opposite end of said spring being connected with a suitable support, and a flexible element connected with said ratchet and extending partly around and resting upon said spring, for operating the ratchet in an opposite direction to that in which the tension of the spring tends to move the same.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this th day of December, 1921.

WILLIAM LINDSAY.

Witnesses:

HARRY I. CROMER, EMIL Nanouxn. 

